Well-behaved fans do England's 2018 World Cup bid proud

England's chances of hosting the 2018 World Cup have been boosted by the good behaviour of their fans.

Despite fears of hooliganism in South Africa wrecking the bid, police confirmed today that not a single England supporter had been arrested for football-related violence during the tournament.

Riot police and a team of British officers deployed in Bloemfontein were left untroubled as English and German fans drank and chanted together until the early hours.

When a few yobs began to boo the German national anthem before the game they were halted by the majority of fans who told them to keep quiet and show respect. A Fifa source said: "England fans have been on their best behaviour and caused no trouble at all. That can only bode well for their bid to host the tournament."

Colonel Vishnu Naidoo, spokesman for the South African Police Service, said: "The English fans have behaved exceptionally well, making our task a lot easier."

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt, leading the UK police delegation in South Africa, said: "The England fans were obviously disappointed but that disappointment didn't translate into violence or bad behaviour. I did not see any hostility towards German fans whatsoever."

But in Leicester Square a German fan was attacked after England's defeat and a police officer who went to his aid was punched. Four men were arrested.